There are 4 main strands to the degree: school experience: there is an emphasis on school experience as an opportunity for critical inquiry and developing the skills for reflective practice; opportunities for learning through school experience include: observation of experienced teachers, investigation of schools� policies procedures and practices, structured feedback on teaching from trained mentors and participation in the life and work of schools; professional studies: this strand is concerned with general issues in primary education and is carefully aligned with school experience; it enables students to investigate and develop skills in: planning, class management, assessment for learning, and recording and reporting children�s attainment; curriculum studies: modules focus on the teaching of core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum; they cover the subject knowledge needed for teaching in primary schools and, by linking with school experience and professional studies, they help students to develop specific teaching strategies; advanced professional focus: this strand is a significant part of the 3rd year and encourages expertise in a significant area of primary practice; 2nd year students choose an �advanced professional focus� from: values based education; creativity and communication; special educational needs; early years education; alternatively, if students have an appropriate qualification, they can choose an advanced professional focus in a modern foreign language.